Connecting the critical pedagogy in basic writing to college EFL teaching: A content analysis of English learning magazines as freshman English teaching material in Taiwan

This study aims at connecting three domains of language education, namely the critical pedagogy in basic writing, EFL, and world Englishes, for the benefit of Taiwanese college EFL students. There are several goals: (1) to identify the similar nature between basic writers at the American colleges and the college EFL students in Taiwan, (2) to argue the necessity of applying the critical pedagogy in basic writing courses to EFL courses at Taiwanese colleges, and (3) to discuss the study of world Englishes which complicates the EFL education worldwide. Since language use always involves power relationships between individuals or communities, English education should not be treated as a curricular subject whose knowledge can be obtained through the study of textbooks.; A student survey and the analysis of four sets of English learning magazines as Freshman English teaching material in Taiwan were conducted. The outcome demonstrates that the American- or Western-centered content material does not provide the real use of English in different contexts. College students should be aware of the complicated ways of using language to improve their communicative competence in a global context. The purpose of learning English is not just to communicate with Americans but also with many other non-English native speakers. The student survey shows little improvement of English education in Taiwan for the past decades and the frustration of many college students in learning English. This outcome indicates the need for the critical approach for college EFL students. Examples and recommendations on how to approach Freshman English in Taiwanese colleges are suggested in the conclusion.